Education Project Coordinator at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Operational Context/Role

The Education Project Coordinator is the person responsible overall for the Higher Education and Special Needs sub-projects in Kakuma Refugee Camp. S/he reports directly to the Project Director based in Kakuma and oversees local planning, organization & implementation, staffing and monitoring of activities of both sub-projects. The successful candidate will:

• Ensure the continued quality of education and other project outcomes of the higher education and special needs sub-projects in Kakuma Camp through sound project management;
• Accompany and monitor students in their pursuit of, and participation in, higher education and identify areas of need for possible development into Community Service Learning Tracks (CSLTs);
• Act as the point person and key liaison between program partners (JRS and JWL-Jesuit Worldwide Learning, in higher education) referring to JRS management where appropriate and applicable;
• Work in coordination with the JRS Psychosocial Project Director in Kakuma and act as psycho-social project director in her/his absence.

1. Project Management

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the Higher Education and Special Needs sub-projects in camp according to the agreed project proposals and outcome indicators;
• Assesses the need for additional or alternative activities, including additional CSLTs, activities within the higher education and special needs programs, and works with collaborating partners (JWL as an example) to develop and implement courses when appropriate;
• Initiates and oversees processes for data collection and for monitoring and analysis of activities, including CSLTs and Special Needs activities, and informs JRS and relevant partners of same;
• Ensures adherence to agreed project targets and workplans;
• Monitors the delivery of project activities to ensure relevance, contextualization, and cultural sensitivity of content and if necessary proposes and implements responses;
• Is responsible for co-ordination and liaison between JRS and the local Catholic parish and diocese/other agencies/local government/local communities/displaced camp community and schools;
• Represents JRS at local level meetings with parish/diocese/local authorities/other agencies, as and when required.

2. Staff Management

• In collaboration with the Project Director, responsible for the overall welfare and workplace conditions of the staff (national and international) according to JRS policies and procedures;
• In collaboration with the Project Director, supervises key human resource functions such as recruitment & selection of locally sourced staff, pay & benefits, safety/security & health, appraisal, and training at the project level, according to JRS policies and procedures and in collaboration with JRS Human Resources;
• Provides management supervision and technical support to the team, building an effective teamwork ethic among them;
• Drafts Terms of Reference (ToRs) and relevant job-related documents, together with the Country HR Officer/County Director, for new staff specific to their positions, including CSLT facilitators and national staff within the Special Needs department;
• Ensures that staff are trained and familiar with safety and security and other relevant policies and procedures, and that all staff operate within the same;
• In collaboration with the Project Director, orders evacuation and other security measures in times of threat or disturbance which compromises safety and security of staff.

3. Budget and Financial Management

• Is responsible for the overall financial management and performance of the sub-projects, e.g. the maintenance of accounts; budget and cash flow; and ensuring that financial and procurement systems are in place and proper reporting and recording of expenditures;
• Prepares an annual budget for Higher Education and Special Needs departments for approval by the Country Office;
• Oversees the financial functions of the project in accordance with relevant rules and procedures, and ensure proper financial management of project funds;
• Ensures proper utilization and maintenance of project assets and maintenance of asset register.

4. Reporting

• Responsible for the preparation and submission of regular narrative and financial reports for the Country Office.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Education or related field;
• Experience (at least 3 years) working in project management, preferably in education in emergencies and protracted crises;
• Proven experience in managing people/teams in low resource environments;
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to working with marginalized communities;
• General knowledge about educating people with special needs.

Languages

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) and excellent writing skills;
• Fluency in Kiswahili is an asset.

Technical Skills

• Experience with virtual learning environments, including Desire 2 Learn (D2L) and Blackboard, or equivalent Learning Management Systems such as Moodle and/or the aptitude to learn to use a new LMS;
• Ability to identify and troubleshoot problems with computers, servers, and power sources, and secure repairs;
• Ability to work with Microsoft Office and experience with managing computer networks and software;
• Strong analytical, reporting, and planning skills with demonstrated solutions-focus;
• Strong monitoring and evaluation skills/experience;
• Knowledge of project cycle management;
• Knowledge and ability to apply Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) standards.

Core values and ethics

• Good understanding of and compatibility with the values of JRS;
• Very good pastoral sense combined with ability to listen and excellent communication/inter-personal skills;
• Demonstrated ability and experience of working in a multi-cultural environment;
• Willingness and ability to travel to the regional and country offices, when appropriate;
• Compassion for refugees and displaced people, a motivation to serve, and (desirable) experience of working in the context of forced migration;
• A capacity to adapt to basic living and working conditions particularly to operate in a sub-optimal working environment subject to power cuts / intermittent electricity;
• Demonstrable experience of, and capacity for, working collaboratively as part of a team and putting in practice team-building skills;
• Flexibility in work hours as needed, including some evenings and weekends.